Dominic Fletcher Reflects on WBC, First MLB Stint
Between the World Baseball Classic, the opportunity to compete with and against his older brother David, and his first major league call-up, Dominic Fletcher's 2023 season has already been filled with a lot of unforgettable experiences. The D-backs No. 9 prospect made a strong first impression, hitting .308 with two home runs, an .824 OPS, and strong outfield defense in his first 22 games. Here's how Fletcher described his first stint in the big leagues.
"It was good, it was fun. Obviously the team is doing really well and it was cool to be a part of that for a while."
He started off hot, becoming the fifth ever Diamondback to get 20 hits in his first 15 career games. Getting off to that start proved to be a confidence boost that he can compete at the highest level.
"Being able to get off to a good start and swing it well early was definitely important for me. I feel like that's something I can take with me and use throughout my career."
The biggest difference he noticed when comparing pitchers in Triple-A vs. MLB is the quality of stuff. When it comes to handling that quality of pitching his mindset is "to go out there every day and be really focused each at-bat, do you best to battle and compete with the stuff they have."
His signature moment in Arizona came against San Francisco Giants in May. Fletcher went 8-for-15 at the plate with a double, triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI as the D-backs won three of four games at Chase Field. He also made a key defensive stop in the series finale on a barreled up ball that set the stage for a walk-off win eight innings later.
"It was a lot of fun. Obviously the goal is to go out there and do something every day and help the team win. To be able to have a series like that and have the success I have was pretty special."
Defense is also something that Fletcher values. In a short amount of time, he was able to showcase how valuable his glove was. While he doesn't compare in raw speed to Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy, and Corbin Carroll, he more than makes up for it with excellent jumps. Statcast measures his outfield jump as 2.1 feet above average, which ranks in the 89th percentile. He already has recorded an out on a ball that had a 5% catch probability this season. In addition to his catch against the Giants, he made a couple game-saving grabs in the Philadelphia series, including this robbery of Kyle Schwarber.
"I feel like defense has always been a big part of my game. I take pride in my defense, I like to think of myself as a defense-first guy".
Fletcher gives credit to the D-backs player development staff for getting him reps at all three outfield positions early in his minor league career, but feels the most comfortable in center and right field. In center, he has a better view of the pitch and the hitter's swing to get a better jump on a ball off the bat. In right field, his above-average arm plays up more. Statcast ranks him at +1 Outs Above Average in center and +2 in right.
Fletcher had the chance to not only compete with his brother for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but also against him in the past couple years. He squared off against Salt Lake last year when David was on a rehab assignment and again earlier this year after the elder Fletcher sibling was outrighted to Triple-A.
"It's fun, playing with him was great. I hadn't gotten to play with him since high school, he was a senior and I was a freshman in 2013. That was the last time we played on the same team until this WBC. It was definitely a lot of fun getting to share some time with him and play alongside him. On the flip side, I've gotten to play against him a couple times here in Triple-A. I like playing against him, we're competing out there seeing who's going to get more hits that day."
Fletcher also fondly remembers the experience playing in the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his brother a couple of his teammates in Reno, catcher Dominic Miroglio and reliever Mitchell Stumpo, were on Italy's roster.
"It was great, we had a really cool roster with a mix of different guys from teams all over the place. Getting to meet those guys and getting pretty close with a lot of them was definitely awesome. Being able to travel the world, go to Taiwan and then Tokyo, play in the Tokyo Dome, it was an experience I'll never forget. I look forward to doing it again in 2026."
While they eventually lost to Japan, the eventual WBC champion, the D-backs outfield prospect landed a couple big hits. He had a two-run single against one of the most electrifying baseball talents in Shohei Ohtani and hit a long home run off Padres ace Yu Darvish.
It's not easy for a young player to be able to handle hostile road environments, but Fletcher is not so easily rattled. He described the experience of facing the best Japan had to offer as "pretty cool, definitely when you get to go up against some of the best, you want to go out there and do well". He then added that facing a pitcher like Ohtani in that kind of environment takes the pressure off instead of adding.
"That guy is going to get you out nine times out of ten, so you go out there and play stress-free. You're not supposed to get a hit against that guy. It kind of loosens you up and lets you go out and play, if you get a hit it's a bonus". It's a mindset that will serve him well moving forward in his career, playing in intense road environments such as Dodger Stadium.
Fletcher currently awaits another opportunity to be able to contribute in the big leagues. Since being sent down to Triple-A Reno, he is hitting .307 with five doubles, two triples, and two home runs. With the D-backs looking to add to their roster and their outfield depth being their biggest trade chip, Fletcher's next big league opportunity could be coming up soon.
